Australian Ballet dancers begin industrial action over pay dispute: ‘They’re living on tuna and rice’

Sharni Spencer and Callum Linnane in the Australian Ballet’s recent production of Romeo and Juliet. Dancers could go on strike over a pay dispute. Photograph: Jeff Busby/Rainee Lantry

Negotiations between the Australian Ballet’s management and its employees have broken down and the dancers haven’t ruled out striking if a dispute over pay cannot be resolved.

Negotiations on a new EBA began last September and last week the dancers embarked on protected industrial action with a social media campaign through their union, the Media Entertainment and Arts Alliance.